Signy chuckled. “Have several layers of clothing, including a waterproofed outer garment, because on any given day it will certainly rain at least a little.”
“Exactly.” He slung the saddlebags over one shoulder. “Shall we set off? I’m anxious to meet Loki, the god of mischief.”
“My Loki is actually quite a sweetheart.” Signy lifted her own saddlebags before giving Ramsay a glance. “The old laird gave him to me outright several years ago since I was doing so much riding on official business. I didn’t start riding Thor until your grandfather wasn’t able to.”
“You’ve more than earned a horse of your own,” he said mildly.
They walked together the short distance to the stables and found that Donovan had both mounts saddled and ready to go. As Signy approached, the two horses crowded toward her enthusiastically. She laughed and petted one with each hand. “Thor is the epitome of the Thorsayian breed, while Loki is a throwback to his Arabian ancestors. He can’t do the extra gaits of a true Thorsayian, but they’re both lovely horses.”
“Can’t beat a Thorsayian horse for good temperament,” Donovan agreed as he took Signy’s saddlebags and set them onto Loki.
Ramsay swung his saddlebags onto Thor. “As I recall, the main road across the island goes from Clanwick to Skillness and Roald’s kelp works, but I’d like to take the old road over the hills. There were some ruins along that route.”
“As you wish. I haven’t traveled that way for years, so it will make a pleasant ride.” Signy used a mounting block to get onto Loki, denying Ramsay the opportunity to help her himself. Reminding himself there would be more opportunities, he mounted Thor.
He looked forward to rediscovering Thorsay, to meeting people and surveying some old ruins. But most of all, he looked forward to spending time alone with Signy.
* * *
Signy found that riding with Ramsay was interesting. He was in a constant state of quiet alertness, a habit he’d likely developed when traveling in dangerous terrain, possibly on camelback. They saw few people, but when they did, he introduced himself and chatted for a few minutes.
Everyone had heard of the old laird’s death, and people were curious about his long-absent grandson. Most were wary at first, but Ramsay soon won them over with his easy charm and interested questions about their lives and what changes they’d like to see on Thorsay.
When they rode on after one such encounter, Signy observed, “You’re a born politician, Kai.”
He looked pained. “I see you’re back to hurling insults at me.”
She laughed. “That was actually a compliment. You’re good at talking to people and winning their approval. That’s a fine skill for the leader of Thorsay since Thorsayians are independent and opinionated. I know this isn’t the life you wanted, yet here you are, talking and listening seriously, and making friends.”
He was silent while they circled a tumble of rocks. “No, it isn’t the life I would have chosen,” he said finally. “But it’s always been my destiny, assuming I didn’t get myself killed somewhere along the way. I regret ending my travels, but this . . .” He glanced across the short distance that separated them, his gaze intent. “This feels right.”
She looked away, wondering if there was any special meaning in his words. “I’m glad for everyone’s sake. A sullen laird would be dreadfully annoying.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure he would be. I’ll try not to inflict sullenness upon you.”
She pointed at the hill ahead. “The ruins are on top of Sky Hill. I think it’s the highest point on Mainland. A good place to stop for lunch.”
“I’m ready to eat and so are the horses, I imagine. I poked around among the old stones up there once or twice when I was young, but the place seemed to be the remains of an old farmstead and didn’t interest me much. I’ve visited a lot of ruins since then, so maybe I’ll be more perceptive about this site now.”
A brief rain squall swept over them as they ascended the winding road to the top of the hill, which was crowned by a scattering of low, irregular stone walls, plus the remains of a tower. Ramsay pulled Thor to a stop. “Look at the view from here! We can see all of Mainland and the seas around. I wonder if this might have been used as a watchtower.”
She halted Loki beside him. “I hadn’t thought of that before, but you might be right. This would be a prime location for spotting dragon ships or other invaders. I’m trying to remember if there are any old tales that refer to a watchtower and watch fires.”
“I’ll have to find some of the old storytellers.” He swung from his horse. “But now, lunch!”
* * *
Ramsay set the horses to grazing while Signy laid out their lunch next to a crumbled wall that provided some protection from the wind. It faced south, so it caught warmth from the fitfully visible sun. The ground was wet from the earlier rain, but several stones were suitable for sitting and kept them off the damp grass.
The meal of bread, cheese, and pickled onions was simple and tasty, especially when washed down with ale. Ramsay had always had an appetite, and Signy was amused to see that hadn’t changed. After she finished the last of her cheese, she asked, “Did you find anything interesting in the laird’s accounts?”
He frowned. “The regular account books were straightforward, but there was a private file that I didn’t understand. A number of local names were listed, followed by a notation of something like ‘Fifty pound loan, to be repaid when possible.’ No terms, no interest rate, just the name and the amount.”
He pulled a folded paper from his inside coat pocket and handed it to Signy. “Here’s one page. Does it mean anything to you?”
She scanned the names and numbers. “It looks like money he gave to people in dire straits, and the outlays are described as loans because many Thorsayians hate the idea of taking charity.”
“I wondered if it might be something like that. Tactful of him.”
